Rim structure and means for attachment thereof



March 7, 1961 A. A. DANIELS RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENTTHEREOF Filed Nov. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 7, 1961 E s2,973,524-

RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 21, 195"! March 1961 A. A. DANIELS 2,973,524

I RIM STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF Filed Nov. 21, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet 3 A? 2 2/ a ir I I I R m- 2,973,524 1 Patented. -Mar.

RIIH STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT THEREOF Albert A. Daniels, 1145Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Ill.

Filed Nov. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 697,890

9 Claims. (Cl. 4-487) This invention relates generally to a rimstructure, and more specifically to a means for attaching a self-rimmingfixture and a separate fixture rim to a counter.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application entitledSink Structure and Method of Assembly, Serial No. 653,317, filed April17, 1957, and now abandoned.

Various fixtures installed in counter tops, such as sinks and ranges,have been provided with a rim assembly around the fixture to close thejoint between the counter top and the fixture. These rims are bothdecorative and functional; typically these rims provide a sanitary sealbetween the fixture and the counter, and certain of these rims alsosupport or clamp the fixture in position.

A disadvantage present in both the self-rimming fixtures and theseparate rim assemblies is that the labor and material costs due toinstallation errors are quite expensive. Furthermore, the labor ofinstallation is quite substantial, and frequently complex. A typicalcounter-top is covered with material which is quite costly and brittle.when an opening is cut in the counter to receive the service portion ofthe fixture, such as the bowl portion of a sink,'it has not beenuncommon to leave a rather thin and weak section of counter-top materialat the front and at the back edge of the fixture. The material beingbrittle, the likelihood of cracking the counter material is substantial,particularly when an inexperienced workman, such as a do-it-yourselfhouseholder, is installing a fixture in such a counter.

Furthermore the opening for the service portion of counter fixtures mustbe positioned with accuracy since the service portion of the fixture,such as the bowl portion of the sink, or its edges must align closelywith respect to the edge of the opening, and of course also accuratelywith respect to plumbing or other devices with which the fixture is tobe associated. Normally the position of the plumbing is fixed withrespect to the counter, and determines the exact location of the fixturewith respect to the counter. Accordingly, considerable skill andexperience is necessary to properly position the opening for the serviceportion of the fixture with the requisite accuracy. An error in locatingthis opening necessitates scraping the counter-top and the provision ofa new counter-top. Therefore, to avoid such an error, timeconsumingaccuracy, is required even of the highly skilled workmen employed in thetask.

As a solution for these problems. I have provided a self-rimming sinkwhich may be installed even though the bowl opening in the counter isinaccurately located. This sink has been shown and claimed in theaboveidentified application for Letters Patent. I have found that themore basic principles of this invention may be applied not only toself-rimming sinks, but may also be applied to the separate rims or rimassemblies for nonself-rimming sinks, as well as to other self-rimmingfixtures and other non-self-rimming fixtures.

Further, I'have found that the provision of a hook means, such asbroadly disclosed in my earlier application, is particularlyadvantageous when combined with the various types of fixture and typesof fastening means. I have further found that the use of the fasteningmeans described herein makes practical the construction of certain typesor" fixtures which have heretofore been considered commerciallyimpracticable, particularly in that sealing of the edges with respect tothe counter has been impossible. Thus it has been impractical previouslyto provide rims for non-self-rimming fixtures where the contour of thefixture is irregular. My invention makes irregularly contoured rimsexceedingly practicable. Further, when exceedingly long or elongatedfixtures have been provided, either of the slef-rimming or of thenonself-rimming type, the inherent weight of the fixture coupled withthe weakening of the counter produced by a substantial opening, hasproduced a counter sag at the center which has precluded effectivesealing. The instant invention also makes such a fixture practicable bymaking such a seal tight.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a means forattaching a fixture to a counter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a de tachable means fordrawing and holding a fixture against a counter or wall.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a fasteningmeans which makes practicable both counter fixtures which are somewhatmore elongated than have heretofore been practicable, and which alsomakes practicable counter fixtures having an irregular contour.

Still another object is the provision of a pre-assembled fastening meanswhich may be hooked to a fixture for adjustably drawing and holding thefixture with respect to a supporting surface such as a counter or wall.

Yet another object is the provision of a fixture which may be installedin an opening in a counter, wherein substantial variations in thelocation of the edge of the opening do not affect the installation ofthe fixture.

Yet another object is the provision of a fixture and means for attachingsame whereby the fixture may be installed in a counter top where theopening of the counter top may be so located as not to leave any relatively weak sections immediately adjacent to the fixture.

A still further object is the provision of a fixture which may be usedwith relatively weakened or interrupted counter sections immediatelyadjacent to the fixture.

Still another object is the provision of means for holding a fixturesecurely against a counter.

Many other advantages, features and the additional objects of thepresent invention will become manifest to those versed in the art uponmaking reference to the details of description and the accompanyingsheets of drawings in which several embodiments incorporating theprinciples of the present invention are shown by way of illustrativeexample.

Onthe drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a self-rimming sink constructed inaccordance with my invention, with a portion of the fastening meansomitted;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view taken along line III of Figure 1 andincluding the omitted parts and a counter-top;

Figure 3 is a view along line III-III of Figure II;

Figures 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 each show various additional embodiments of thefastening means of my invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmental bottom view of the ledge and rim of a fixturesuch as is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6;

Figure 10 is a fragmental bottom view of a rim such as is shown inFigure 9;

Figure 11 illustrates how the fastening means of one 'posed side of therim 37.

comprises resilient material for conforming to the counter variationswith which a seal is to be effected. The lower or concave surface of therim 55 is spaced from the ledge and from the upper surface 18 of the"counter 20 by a pair of marginal flange portions 57 and 58, each ofwhich has an edge which defines a rim slot 60 which extends along therim 55 and which is spaced from the concave surface of the rim. Theinwardly extending marginal flange portions 57, 58 have an upper surfacewhich is included within the term prospectively unexposed side as usedherein. Except for the fact that the rim 55 is a separate rim, it willbe noted that the embodiment of Figure 9 is substantially otherwiseidentical to that of Figure 4. Accordingly, the operation of thisembodiment is readily apparent.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a fixture having a ledge 36and a rim 37 with a marginal portion 39 all as shown and described inconnection with Figure 4. To secure the rim 37 to the counter 20 at thesurface 18, this embodiment includes a subassembly generally indicatedby the numeral 64. The subassembly 64 includes a flange portion 62having a hook 63 at one end thereof for engaging the marginal portion39. The flange 62 is apertured at the end remote from thehook 63, androtatably receives and journals a shaft 65 therein. On the shaft 65',there is provided a pair of cams 66 and 67 which are corotatablydrivingly mounted on the shaft 65. Except for the relative difference inthe length of the flange 62, the subassembly 64 is substantiallyidentical in structure to the subassembly 26.

The rim 37 is disposed in registration with the slot 22 as before, whilethe hooked end 63 is inserted from the lower side 33 of the counter,through the slot 22 and arranged to interlock or book on the marginalflange portion 39 of the rim 37. As before, at least one of the "cams 66and 67 is preferably adjustable axially on the shaft 65, whereby thecams may span the slot 22 in the counter 20. Thus the flange 62 issecured to the unex- In view of the foregoing description, the operationof this embodiment will now be apparent.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a still further modificationof the hook means for adjustably drawing and holding the fixture againstthe counter. The self-rimming fixture fragmentally illustrated in Figure6 is identical to that shown in Figures 4 and 5, and similar referencenumerals have been applied thereto. However, a means 70 for securing therim 37 to the counter 21) is here shown to comprise a threaded member 71which is hook shaped at one end 72 whereby it may also engage with theprospectively unexposed side of the rim 37. A nut 73 and a resilientspring washer 74 are received on the member 71 either before or after ithas been inserted. Where the slot 22 is made sufliciently wide, themember 71 may be inserted from the lower side 33 of the counter 26.However, where a narrower slot is used, which precludes the turning ofthe hook end 72 therein, the hook end 72 is engaged with the rim 37 asdescribed and then the threaded portion is directed through the opening22 from above, after which the threaded means, which engage the otherend and the other side of the counter for drawing and holding thethreaded member, are attached.

Thus in this embodiment, the ledge 36 has been provided with a rim orbead 37 which has a lip or sealing edge 38, and an inwardly directedmarginal flange portion 39. The holding means includes the downwardlydirected portion or threaded means 71, here shown to have externalthreads, and which extends through the hole or slot 22 in the counter 24the slot 22 being remote from the opening 21. The downwardly directedportion 71 typically includes the nut 73 and the compression type:spring 74. The other end of the member 71 includes the "hook portion 72which removably engages the marginal flange 39. Thus the threaded member71 is removably Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a bottom viewof a portion of a fixture having the ledge 36 and the rim generallyindicated at 37 as also shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Preferably that thehooked end 43, 63, or 72, which respectively engages with the marginalflange portion 3?, has a width which is greater than the width of therim slot 41, shown as W in Figure 7. Further, it is preferable that thehook portions 43, 63 and 72 or the flange portion 39 defining the edge40, or both, be made of resilient material, whereby the hooked portionmay be directed upwardly into the marginal slot in such a manner thatthe slot edges compress the hook portion and allow it to pass by,thereby allowing it to snap into place to thereafter resist falling out.The fastening structures shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be combined withthe separate rim of Figure 9, and the slot width 60 of Figure 9 may bedimensioned so that it is slightly narrower than the width of the hookportion 43. Of course, the snap-in feature has particular utility withthe structures shown in Figures 4, 6 and 9, in that easy removal isstill present.

Referring now to Figure 10, there is shown a bottom view of the separaterim 55, such as shown in Figure 9, wherein the edges of the marginalflanges 57 and 53 jointly define the marginal slot 66. If desired,particularly when it is preferable to keep the rim 55 and the hook end43 of the flange 52 relatively rigid, the edge of one or both of themarginal portions 57 may be recessed as at 89 and 81 to define an areaor region within the rim slot 6%) of greater width. The width at therecesses or 81 preferably is larger than that of the hook width, wherebythe hooks may be inserted at a wide portion in the slot and thendisplaced along the length of the rim 55 for engagement with thenon-recessed part of the marginal flange portions 57 or 53. Thus thehook is larger than the slot width is, except at a portion therealonghaving greater width, the greater width being provided for the receptionor release of the hooked ends. Of course this feature shown in Figure 10may be incorporated along the edge at of Figure 7 if desired.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is diagrammatically illustrated acondition which makes the instant invention particularly useful andadvantageous. By comparing this figure with Figure 2, it will be notedthat a substantially similar structure has been provided, but onewherein the ledge 12a is made som'what shorter or narrower, and whereinsomewhat less clearance has been provided at the opening 21a. Further,an obstruction generally indicated at 85, which may comprise a counterframe member, a wall, or the like, has also been included to somewhatrestrict the space in which the fastening means 26 maybe disposed. Underthis set of circumstances, the fixture may be positioned with the rim13a in line with the counter slot 22a. With the fixture rim thus inposition, the means 26a may be grasped by a driving tool and the pair ofhooks interengaged. The tool thus holds the means 26a by the portion30:: and supports it during the engagement of the hooks 24a and 28a.Once these hooks are engaged, by a twist of the tool which is alreadyengaged with the fastening means, the cams 31a and 32a are brought intosecure engagement with the lower surface 33a of the counter 29a. Thusthe preassembled or unitary subassembly 26a is engaged and tightened inwhat is practically a single operation, and which may be performed withone hand, whereby the ledge 12:: is drawn against the upper surface 18aof the counter 20a and held thereagainst.

Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a fixture generally indicatedat 86 which has an irregular contour 87. It will be noted that thecontour 87 extends a variable distance from the various openings 88,which cornprise service portions of the fixture 86. In this embodiment,burner elements (not shown) are received in the apertures 88, wherebythe entire fixture may be used as a drop-in fixture or appliance for acounter top. Any one of the various embodiments of the fastening meansas shown herein may be utilized with the instant structure to draw itagainst the counter and to hold it securely in position. Thus a fixturehaving an irregular contour may be provided either as a self-rimmingfixture, or may be provided with a separate rim for use therewith.

Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a fixture which comprises asink, generally indicated by the numeral 9d. The sink includes a pair orbowl or service portions 91, 91 having a ledge 92 integral therewith.The

ledge 2 and the service portions 91 may be provided with a plurality ofappropriate conventional plumbing openings 93. in addition, there hasbeen provided a third Service portion comprising a gradually slopingdrain board 94 which communicates with the right hand bowl portion 91.If desired, a second drain board portion 94 may be provided at theopposite end of this sink for draining into the left hand bowl 911. Itwill be noted that this sink provides for a relatively large or wideamount of counter to be left beneath the ledge of the sink 96 forsupport thereof. In spite of the fact that such a fixture hasconsiderable weight and might cause the counter to sag at the center ofthe sink, the use of the novel fastening means disclosed herein with asink of this type rigidly draws the counter and the sink into sealingengagement along the respective edges thereof or at the rim, whereby atight and sanitary seal is formed. It will be noted that the overalllength of this sink is somewhat in excess of the length of one of theservice portions or bowls 91 thereof. Accordingly, the instant fasteningmeans, when combined with elongated or contoured appliances or fix turesas shown herein, make it possible for such fixtures to be properlysupported and sealed with respect to the supporting counter.

Although various modifications may be suggested by those versed in theart, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope ofthe patent warranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of my contribution of the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture directly supportedby a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a flangemember secured to the side of the rim adjacent to the counter and havinga hooked end remote from said rim for extending through the counter;means having a hooked end for interlocking with said hooked end of saidfiange member; and cam means rotatably journaled in said hooked-endmeans and adjustably engaging the lower side of the counter for drawingand holding the fixture against the counter.

2. In combination with a fixture having an integral ledge at leastpartially overlapping and being directly supported by one side of acounter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of theledge, said rim having a portion with a generally concave sectiondirected toward the counter, said rim having a marginal flange portionengaging said counter in spaced relation to said counter-supportedintegral ledge, said marginal flange portion being disposed indownwardly spaced relationship to said concave portion with the edge ofsaid flange portion defining one edge of a slot extending along said rimin downwardly spaced relation to said concave portion; and fasteningmeans including a cam-like hook slightly larger than the width of saidslot; one of said hook and said flange portion being slightly resilientfor yieldably permitting snap engagement therebetween and for preeluding disengagement; and said fastening means extending from said hookthrough a hole in the counter, said means being adapted to adjustabiyengage the other side rim for extending through the counter; a platehaving a hooked end directed away from said rim for removablyinterlocking with said hooked end of said flange member; and cam meansrotatably journaled in said plate and adjustably engaging the lower sideof the counter for drawing and holding the fixture against the counter.

4. In combination with a resilient rim for attaching a fixture directlysupported by a counter to such counter, the improvement comprising: aflange member having a pair of generally parallel oppositely directedhooked ends, one of said hooked ends being directed toward the counterand being secured by a weld to the side of the rim adjacent to thecounter, and the other of said hooked ends being spaced therefrom forextending through a slot in the counter; a plate having a hooked end fordetachably interlocking with said other hooked end of said flangemember; and cam means rotatably journaled in said plate and adjustablyengageable with the lower side of the counter for drawing and holdingthe fixture against the counter; said one of said hooked ends of saidflange member having an edge directed toward the counter and normallyspaced therefrom, whereby when said cam means has drawn said edgeagainst the counter, further tension will be opposed by said edge andthe counter so that further force cannot be applied to said weld.

5. In combination with a fixture having a ledge integral therewith andfor at least partially overlapping and for being directly supported by acounter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of theledge; a first member having hooks at opposite ends thereof directedtoward each other, one of said hooks removably tensionably engaging aportion of said rim and slidblc thereon in the principal direction inwhich said rim extends, said first member being downwardly directed andextending through the counter; a second member having a hook at one endremovably tensionably engaging the other hook of said first member andslidably thereon in said principal direction; and means carried by theother end of said second member for adjustably engaging the lower sideof the counter for holding said ledge against the counter.

6. in combination with a fixture having a ledge integral therewith andat least partially overlapping and directly supported by one side of acounter, the improvement comprising: a rim secured to the edge of theledge, said rim having a portion of generally concave section directedtoward and fully underlaid by the coun ter, and said rim having amarginal flange portion integral with said concave portion and disposedin downwardly spaced relationship to said concave portion, the edge ofsaid flange portion defining one edge of a slot extending along said rimin spaced relationship to said concave portion; a detachable flangemember having a pair of generally parallel hooked ends directed towardeach other, one of said hooked ends extending through said slot of saidrim and tcnsionably engaging with said marginal fiange portion thereof,and the other of said hooked ends being spaced therefrom for extendingthrough a slot in the counter aligned with said rim slot; a plate havinga hooked end for disengageably tensionably interlocking with said otherhooked end of said said plate and adjustably engaging the lower side ofthe counter in spanning relation to said counter slot for drawing andholding the fixture against the counter.

7. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture supported by acounter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a sheet-like flangemember secured to that side of the rim which is to be disposed adjacentto the counter, said member having a distal end for extending completelythrough the counter, said distal end comprising a hooked end, said endopening toward said rim; a sheet-like plate member having a hooked endopening away from said rim, said hooked ends being interlocked fortransmitting a tension force between said members; and cam meansincluding structure rotatably journalled in said plate member about anaxis extending in a direction transverse thereto for adjustably engagingthe lower side of the counter to transmit said tension force throughsaid hooked ends to draw and to hold the fixture against the counter;said cam means including a pair of axially spaced cams receiving saidinterlocked ends closely therebetween for engaging said interlocked endsgenerally in said direction to limit yielding of said hooked ends insaid direction.

8. In combination with a rim for attaching a fixture supported by acounter to such counter, the improvement comprising: a sheet-like flangemember secured to that side of the rim which is to be disposed adjacentto the counter, said member having a distal end for extending completelythrough the counter, said distal end comprising a hooked end, said endopening toward said rim; a sheet-like plate member having a hooked endopening away from said rim, said hooked ends being interlocked fortransmitting a tension force between said members; and cam meansrotatably journalled in said plate member about an axis extending in adirection transverse thereto for adjustably engaging the lower side ofthe counter to transmit said tension force through said hooked ends todraw and to hold the fixture against the counter; said cam meanscomprising a rotatable shaft, and a pair of axially spaced cams carriedby said shaft, said cams receiving said interlocked hooked ends closelytherebetween when in the counter-engaging position for eccentricengagement with said interlocked ends generally in said direction, atleast one of said cams being axially movable along said shaft, saideccentric engagement with said movable cam effecting tilting thereof toeffect locking said movable cam axially on said shaft.

9. A device for holding a fixture rim against a counter, said devicecomprising in combination: a member secured to the rim and having adistal portion for extending completely through the counter, saidportion including a hook, said hook opening toward the lower side of thecounter; a sheet-like apertured plate having an edge directed to definea hooked end for removably tensionably interlocking with said hook; ashaft rotatably journalled in said apertured plate; and a pair ofaxially spaced cams on said shaft and corotatable therewith, one of saidcams being disposed on each side of said plate respectively foradjustably engaging the lower side of the counter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS630,230 Hubbell Aug. 1, 1899 1,562,126 Hallar et a1. Dec. 6, 19272,157,786 Coordes May 9, 1939 2,420,112 Utzler May 6, 1947 2,440,741Drain May 4, 1948 2,503,910 Kerby Apr. 11, 1950 2,505,828 Fox May 2,1950 2,584,581 Harris Feb. 5, 1952 2,657,775 Dunham Nov. 3, 19532,665,430 Ross et al. Jan. 12, 1954 2,702,732 McCarran Feb. 22, 19552,788,100 Landell Apr. 9, 1957 2,790,181 McCarthy Apr. 30, 19572,817,097 Henley Dec. 24, 1957 2,820,229 Opstad Jan. 21, 1958 2,870,458Bowden Jan. 27, 1959 2,913,733 Daniels Nov. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS671,313 Great Britain Apr. 30, 1952

